If power steering "goes out" in a truck...?

Question

...how undriveable will it be?

Because a friends broke out, and hes getting a girl friend who doesn't own a similar vehicle to drive it. Does that seem wierd?

Answer 1

You just got to put some muscle in to the steering wheel. So you probably couldn't drive and talk on a cell phone at the same time or enjoy other luxuries you might have once had like sipping a drink while making a slight turn on the road or whatever.

Answer 2

Depends on the truck, the size of the steering wheel, the steering ratio, type of tires, the type of girl friend,,,,,

It takes more force to turn the wheel without power steering.  In modern vehicles, the wheels are smaller, (less diameter) so you loose some of your mechanical advantage you had with older trucks.  Also, you driving habits are different.  Us old school guys, learned, roll the vehicle before turning the wheel,,, it makes it easier.

Now, the vehicle can be driven,,,, but I would not do any off roading (the wheel flying back when the tires hit a rut will break your arms), and I'd be working to get that fixed.  Small power assited rack and pinions, on small trucks, are the easiest to drive without power steering.

Just get it fixed,,, and then no worries.

Or make sure you got a beast of a girl friend,,,,